Can a GROUNDED TKer use an object to smash an adjacent opponent's fig? The PAC says 'give this figure a ranged combat action...' so if you have to give them a RANGED combat action then you can't really smack someone adjacent since that would require a CLOSE combat action. I seem to remember reading somewhere that you could in fact use TK to smack an adjacent opponent but I can't seem to find it....

From the rule book on page 18 ("Objects and Telekinesis" subsection "Attacking with an Object"):

"To use an object as a weapon, give the character a power action. The character can target an adjacent opposing character, an opposing character up to 10 squares away, or an opposing soaring character up to 5 squares away."

So yes, you can target an adjacent character.

And my version of the PAC says "It may make a ranged combat attack using an adjacent object that is not held by another character (see the "Objects" section of the rulebook)." I didn't see anything about a ranged combat action. But that's neither here or nor there. The rulebook says what you need to know on this matter

PAC Under TK

option (3) It may make a ranged combat attack using an adjacent object that is not held by another character.

Yes, I saw that it said "ranged combat attack" but not "ranged combat action". Using this attack requires a power action (as outlined in the rules section I quoted).

And it's all irrelevant anyways. TK has it's own exception built in that you can hit adjacent figures with it.

A grounded TK'er is standing on an object, adjacent to a grounded opponent. Instead of attacking the adjacent opponent, the player controlling the TK'er would rather attack a distant figure. Is the Tk'er required to attack the adjacent figure or are they free to attack the distant figure with a TK'ed object? In other words, does TK operate like other "special" powers (e.g. Outwit, Perplex, Probability Control) that don't have to preferentially target adjacent figures or does it operate like combat actions when adjacent figures have to be attack before distant oponents.

I would think the TKer would have to attack the adjacent opponent since the attack is done similar to making a ranged combat attack (I'm not using that as an exact quote since that quote in the rulebook only pertains to LOF in the rulebook) and we know that the character couldn't make a ranged combat attack against someone else while adjacent to an opponent.

But then again, I'm kinda hoping for some clarification on the whole shooting out of adjacency issue in an upcoming FAQ. I don't really like how that's worded either.